Posted by Larry Puckett on December 25, 2008 at 5:46 PM
So my boss let me know yesterday that I'll have to come out for a team meeting in Sacramento in early April. My questions is what is Yosemite like at that time of year. I know the upper sections are still closed a that time but what about the lower areas down near the park entrance? Any other photogenic areas within a reasonable driving distance of Sacramento that time of year? Thanks--Larry
Posted by Derek Sedillo on December 25, 2008 at 6:55 PM
I think Yosemite is great all year long. But the best time for photography is probably Winter followed by Spring for the waterfalls. April is early Spring so anything goes. Best case scenario would be a late season storm with some snow. Otherwise the waterfalls should be starting up with the higher elevation runoff.
There are many other options including Tahoe, Big Sur, etc... It just depends how much time you have and what you would like to see.
Derek
Posted by Cliff Young on December 26, 2008 at 2:16 AM
I was there the last week of March this year and the waterfalls were amazing. Although some roads were still closed the Valley was open and busy partly due to an early Easter - April 10 in 2009. Cliff
Posted by Lon Overacker on December 27, 2008 at 8:45 PM
Larry,
You can't go wrong in Yosemite in early April. The waterfalls will most certainly be running and like someone mentioned, there is always a possiblity of a spring snow atop the valley walls. Timing wise, you're right in between the Redbud and Dogwood blooms. I was there on April 1st two years ago and had a ball with the Redbud in the Merced Canyon (Highway 140 out of Mariposa.) Early April you may still have some Redbud in the canyon. It will be early for the dogwood in most years, but certainly the dogwood and big leaf maple will be sprouting leaves. The oak trees will be barely starting to bud out if at all.
If you can do an overnight, I would still recommend heading to Yosemite. There is always something. Personally, if you've never driven HW 140 and the Merced river canyon, that alone is worth a day trip - IMHO.
Have fun!
Lon
Posted by Larry Puckett on December 29, 2008 at 9:56 AM
You guys have been great, thanks for the tips. I guess I'll see if I can still get a place to stay up there and plan on spending a couple days shooting waterfalls. First I gotta get a firm date out of my boss--Larry
Posted by Dan Baumbach on December 29, 2008 at 10:23 AM
What Lon said. I couldn't agree more. The only time I wouldn't want to go to Yosemite is the summer and that's because of the crowds, not the beauty.
- Dan.
Posted by Harley Goldman on December 29, 2008 at 11:51 AM
What Lon and Dan said. It is impossible to go wrong with Yosemite other than the crowded summer months. If it is an early meltout in the high country, you will see the waterfalls cranking. If not, you will have snow-cover peaks in the higher country.
Posted by Larry Puckett on January 5, 2009 at 8:07 PM
Thanks guys, now it looks like the week of April 20. I guess that should be even better and maybe I'll catch the dogwoods now--Larry
Larry, the conditions should be perfect at that time: before the skeeters and the crowds, and the falls should be cranking by then.
I should mention Calaveras Big Trees State Park. It is located off of CA 4 east of the town of Arnold. Allow about 3 hours from Sacto. These are Giant Sequoia Sequoiadendron giganteum and among them are many, many California Dogwood Cornus sessilis. It's a wonderfully quiet place during the work week.
Discussion
8 repliesThere are many other options including Tahoe, Big Sur, etc... It just depends how much time you have and what you would like to see.
Derek
You can't go wrong in Yosemite in early April. The waterfalls will most certainly be running and like someone mentioned, there is always a possiblity of a spring snow atop the valley walls. Timing wise, you're right in between the Redbud and Dogwood blooms. I was there on April 1st two years ago and had a ball with the Redbud in the Merced Canyon (Highway 140 out of Mariposa.) Early April you may still have some Redbud in the canyon. It will be early for the dogwood in most years, but certainly the dogwood and big leaf maple will be sprouting leaves. The oak trees will be barely starting to bud out if at all.
If you can do an overnight, I would still recommend heading to Yosemite. There is always something. Personally, if you've never driven HW 140 and the Merced river canyon, that alone is worth a day trip - IMHO.
Have fun!
Lon
- Dan.
I should mention Calaveras Big Trees State Park. It is located off of CA 4 east of the town of Arnold. Allow about 3 hours from Sacto. These are Giant Sequoia Sequoiadendron giganteum and among them are many, many California Dogwood Cornus sessilis. It's a wonderfully quiet place during the work week.
-P